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What began as a single visit to Sri Lanka in 1995 has turned into a lifelong mission of compassion and transformation for Belgian philanthropist and retired educationist, John Van Dijck. Through his association Adoptie Sri Lanka vzw, Van Dijck has spent over two decades building homes, schools, and supporting thousands of underprivileged children across rural Sri Lanka.
His journey started in the small village of Vana Meekanda, where he and his partner Line not only built homes and a school (officially opened on August 11, 2002), but also provided midday meals, teachers’ salaries, school bags, shoes, and stationery for children. A scholarship scheme introduced there has so far supported 2,310 children.
Following the success of this project, Van Dijck initiated another in Thunthalawa, a remote hilly region lacking basic facilities. A school was built and opened on October 14, 2007, and 1,287 scholarships have since been granted.
In 2011, Van Dijck responded to a request from the late Amaradasa Gunawardana, then President of the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind, to construct a new headquarters. That building opened on January 15, 2015, and continues to serve the community today.
His philanthropic journey continued with a preschool in Rusirugama, Udatenna, opened on April 16, 2010, at the request of local leaders.
Overall, Adoptie Sri Lanka vzw has carried out hundreds of projects, contributing nearly €4 million (Rs. 1.3 billion) in aid and adopting 3,234 children in need.
Now 90 years old, Van Dijck remains deeply engaged in charity work and was recently honoured with an invitation to meet Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Brussels. Reflecting on his life’s work, he humbly shares, “It is better to give than to receive.”
